Steal these looks: 5 bathroom remodels on a budget

Budget-friendly bathroom remodels

Having a walk-in shower or a jetted soaking tub right at home — maybe with some marble flooring below and a crystal chandelier above — sounds nearly as good as a spa vacation.

But if you’re planning a master bath renovation, you know that such a luxury doesn’t come cheap.

In construction or remodeling, “the bathroom, per square foot, is one of the most expensive things in your house,” says Michael Hydeck, founder and former owner of Hydeck Design Build near Philadelphia.

You can cut costs, but you have to be upfront with your contractor. Articulate exactly what you like in that dream bathroom. A smart contractor or designer can offer less-costly materials, designs and finishes.

Equally important: Be honest about your budget. Get a customized personal loan rate today from myBankrate to fund your home improvements.

Check out these tips from contractors and designers on how to remodel your bathroom on a budget.

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Realtor.com

Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

1-bedroom, 1-bath condominium built in 1997

Description: This master bath features “an extremely large walk-in shower” trimmed in glass and “ceramic tile that looks like Carrara marble,” says David Fries, real estate broker for Sotheby’s International Realty in Sante Fe, New Mexico. A clerestory window furnishes light while preserving privacy.

Walls are hand-applied plaster. The alder and red willow vanity has two raised, rectangular ceramic sinks, double mirrors and porcelain faux-marble countertops. The room has both wall-mounted and recessed lighting, plus a separate water closet. Floors are traditional Saltillo tile.

Getting the look: Because remodeling is more expensive than building new, transplanting this room into your own house could cost up to $40,000, says Robert Criner, owner of Criner Remodeling in Newport News, Virginia. And that’s assuming your house has the space, plumbing and water pressure to support it, he says.

On a budget: Have a professional take out an existing tub or shower, install your new shower and tile the floor, and “you’re probably under $15,000,” Criner says.

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Realtor.com

Irving, Texas

3-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath town house built in 2010

Description: An archway flanked with columns frames a jetted tub under a large picture window — with a view of the master bedroom fireplace.

The marble-tiled shower with a glass front features a rain head with multiple modes and built-in seating. Granite tops the custom cabinets of the double vanity and floors are marble tile. And, at the entrance to the master bath, there’s a matching wet bar with a minifridge and a microwave.

Getting the look: Depending on where you live, replicating this master bath could cost up to $100,000, Hydeck says.

On a budget:

Select a flat (rather than a barrel vault) ceiling, Hydeck says. Trim the number of archways to one over the doorway, with perhaps a second over the Possible savings: $2,000 to $3,000.

Choose stock cabinets and a lesser grade of Possible savings: as much as $12,000 to $14,000.

Opt for two columns — one on each side of the tub — instead of Possible savings: $3,000 to $4,000.

Washington Township, Ohio

4-bedroom house with 3 full baths and 2 half-baths, built in 1997

Description: Two columns frame the entrance beneath the cathedral ceiling in this master bath. The jetted tub, set in green tile, sits under a high, arched window. The separate walk-in shower has multiple shower heads and built-in seating.

His-and-hers vanities, on either side of the entryway, have hardwood cabinetry and Corian countertops.

This room has hardwood floors, a water closet, a walk-in closet with an organizational system and an adjacent exercise room.

Getting the look: This master bath has “a very high-end design,” says Paul Sullivan, a past chairman of the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers and president of The Sullivan Co. in Boston.

Transplant the room to your home with a professional remodel and the cost could easily run $45,000 to $50,000, he says.

On a budget:

In the shower, opt for a unit with a single shower head rather than multiple heads, says Sullivan. Switch the conventional shower head for a rain

Select stock or semi-custom cabinets rather than custom cabinets, along with a lesser grade of granite for It gives you a luxe look for less.

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Realtor.com

Summerville, South Carolina

3-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath house built in 2002

Description: In this remodeled master bath, the jetted tub is set in travertine tile and flanked by arched windows and columns. The walk-in shower, lined in travertine tile, features multiple shower heads, built-in seating and a glass face.

The custom cherry vanity has granite countertops, seating and double sinks. The room also has a water closet and travertine flooring.

Getting the look: Re-creating this room in your own professional remodel could run $60,000 to $80,000, depending on where you live, says Jason Landau, ASID, the owner and designer of Amazing Spaces LLC in Briarcliff Manor, New York.

On a budget:

Opt for a soaking tub instead of a jetted tub and you could save “several thousand dollars,” Landau says.

Instead of a custom vanity, choose a free-standing, furniture-style vanity at one of the big-box home improvement stores. You could cut the cost in half, saving as much as $3,000.

Travertine can be pricey, but you can get porcelain or ceramic tiles with a similar look for less.

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Realtor.com

Denver

5-bedroom, 5-bathroom house built in 1994

Description: Under the cathedral ceiling, the oversize jetted tub, set in marble, sits in front of a picture window. The marble-tiled, walk-in shower — faced in glass brick — features multiple shower heads, built-in seating and a heating lamp.

The double vanity has custom maple cabinets, marble countertops and a wall-length mirror with mounted task lighting. The room has a second picture window and built-in seating, marble floors, recessed lighting and a water closet.

Getting the look: People are treating master bathrooms “like a spa,” says designer Cortney Novogratz, former co-host of HGTV’s “Home by Novogratz.”

On a budget:

Give your existing shower an upgrade with a rain-spray shower head and a teak bench, she says. The oversize shower head “spreads water better and is greener,” while seating “gives it a more luxurious feel.”

Skip tiling an entire room with a budget-busting material. Instead, include a stripe or two of your favorite with a less expensive tile as

Opt for a smaller mirror over each sink rather than running it the length of one wall and up to the

Thinking about remodeling your bathroom? Get a personal loan rate customized just for you.

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